Remember back in 2025 when it was announced that telecommunications giant PLDT will relocate its headquarters to Filinvest City? Filinvest City itself is now aiming high with its new Alabang district called The Quarter which is being developed beside the future PLDT campus and it is being prepared to attract commercial investment, according to a news article by Insider PH.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the Insider PH news article. Some parts in boldface…
Corporate investments and rising demand for commercial space are creating opportunities for further business expansion in southern Metro Manila, as Filinvest City seeks to attract enterprises to its established Alabang township.
Filinvest City has introducedThe Quarter, a four-hectare mixed-use district designed to accommodate new businesses and support the township’s next phase of commercial development.
A township of 47,000 workers– The development is positioned beside the upcoming PLDT Campus, which is expected to accommodate approximately 5,000 employees. The concentration of corporate activity could generate demand for retail, dining, healthcare, hospitality and professional services.
The Quarter also offers commercial lots to businesses and investors seeking to establish operations near major employment centers. Filinvest City currently serves approximately 47,000 workers, more than 19,000 residents and 231,000 daily visitors.
The township’s existing population and commercial activity provide a potential customer base for enterprises considering expansion into the district.
Strategic location– The Quarter forms part of Filinvest City’s strategy to diversify its business ecosystem beyond traditional office developments.
Located near Asian Hospital and Medical Center, the district could accommodate healthcare-related enterprises, including private clinics, therapy centers and specialized treatment facilities.
Its location also provides access to the South Luzon Expressway, nearby educational institutions, residential communities and commercial establishments. A pedestrian bridge connecting The Quarter to the future PLDT Campus is also planned.
‘New centers of opportunity’– “Filinvest City’s growth has always been driven by the ability to identify and cultivate new centers of opportunity,” Filinvest Townships first vice president and head Don Ubaldo said in a press statement.
“Just as the Peza-registered hub Northgate Cyberzone helped establish the township in the 90’s as a leading destination for the IT-BPM industry, The Quarter is envisioned to be the epicenter of its next phase of evolution, creating a dynamic environment where enterprise and innovation can thrive together,” he added.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think of this development? Do you think the new Alabang district called The Quarter will help Filinvest City attract more new investment and create both new jobs and more business opportunities in the years to come? Do you think Filinvest City will become to most vibrant and most progressive central business district (CBD) of the south by the year 2030?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, more than seven hundred local patients received free medical and dermatological services during a medical mission involving The Aivee Clinic, the City Government announced via social media.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the announcement of the City Government. Some parts in boldface…
More than 700 patients received free medical and dermatological services during the Aivee Beyond Borders Medical Mission held at Madrigal Covered Court, Barangay Daniel Fajardo, Las Piñas City.
Mayor April Aguilar, along with Vice Mayor Mel Aguilar and Councilor Alelee Aguilar, personally attended the program to join the event and meet with the residents who participated and supported the free consultation and health services.
The medical mission was led by Dr. Aivee Aguilar and Dr. Z Teo of The Aivee Group, in collaboration with local officials and government officials.
Councilors Robert Cristobal and Mac Mac Santos, SK Rey Angelo Reyes, City Department Heads, and officials from Barangay Daniel Fajardo and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) also attended.
The presence of Aivee Ambassadors, Barbie Imperial and Richard Gutierrez, added to the joy of the event, as well as the distribution of raffle prizes.
One of the highlights of the program was the surprise birthday celebration of Vice Mayor Mel Aguilar, adding to the joy of the gathering.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, do you know anyone who attended the medical mission? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about The Aivee Clinic?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!
In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads from the 1980s to the 1990s.
For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s to the 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.
With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…
1. Broderbund British print ad
An American-themed promotion of games for the British market in the 1980s.
Back in the 1980s, home computer systems were already popular platforms for playing electronic games. The American company Broderbund was one of the dominant forces of home computer gaming back then with lots of hit games (a mix of their own productions and the publishing of ports of games from other companies) that entertained many. When it came to England, Broderbund was aggressive on marketing its games there and the above print ad is a fine example of it. They came up with an American theme on their ad promoting the Lode Runner games, Choplifter, Spelunker and Stealth to British computer gamers. The imagery of a burger and the display of the American flag made the ad eye-catching.
2. King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch Japanese print ad
A print ad of King Kong 2 and two other Konami games for Japanese gamers.
Believe it or not, Konami had the license to create the 1986 adventure game King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch which was very loosely based on the 1986 movie King Kong Lives. To promote its release for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom), Konami came up with the above print ad that had an actual movie photo of King Kong, inserted two screenshots and showed some creative writings. Conveniently, Konami also inserted two of its other games for promotions.
3. Datsugoku Japanese arcade flyer
The front.
The rear.
In 1988, SNK released Datsugoku in Japanese arcades and it became a commercial success for them long before they transitioned to their Neo Geo hardware. As you can see in the Japanese arcade flyer, the game has a war theme about prisoners of war struggling to fight their way out of enemy territory. This is not surprising because of the popularity of Hollywood’s military themed action movies and the Cold War itself had influenced game designers. The arcade flyer has fine-looking art of war. This game was eventually released in other parts of the world under the title P.O.W.: Prisoners of War.
4. The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! North American print ad
The Punisher with Spider-Man in this action-oriented print ad.
In the early 1990s, Nintendo’s Game Boy was the dominant handheld gaming device and it was not surprising that a lot of companies released games on it. Along the way, the Punisher became one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters and there were two monthly comic book series about the character. Acclaim produced The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! for Game Boy featuring not only the Punisher but also Spider-Man (in the background) which was enough to get the attention of comic book fans. The descriptive text they came up with has this obvious anti-crime theme and it emphasized action. I saw this print ad in some 1991 comic books I read and it remains eye-catching until now.
5. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Japanese print ad
This is one captivating print ad.
In the early 1990s, Victor/JVC published Star Wars games developed by Lucasfilm Games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Following the 1992 release of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on the NES in the West, they released a port of it for the Famicom in Japan in 1993. To promote the game, they made a print ad that highlighting the memorable Battle of Hoth (using art and one screenshot) as well as iconic photos of Luke Skywalker in Hoth and Dagobah (with Yoda). The ad makers strategically inserted screenshots showing the in-game Hoth and Dagobah settings plus two of Cloud City. I played the game myself and it was very punishing. Still, this ad looks great. It also motivated me to replay The Empire Strikes Back on home video back then.
6. Contra: The Hard Corps Japanese print ad
This Contra: The Hard Corps print ad for Japan still looks exciting.
In 1994, gamers in Japan who owned the Sega Mega Drive (Sega Genesis in America) were highly engaged when Konami released Contra: The Hard Corps specifically for the said console. Konami aggressively marketed the game and one of the ads they made for Japan was the above 2-page print ad that had dynamic looking hand-drawn artwork that had strong anime aesthetics. They inserted two screenshots of the game and posted a text description to get gamers excited. Apart from bringing Contra excitement for Sega gamers and Contra fans who happened to own the Mega Drive, this print ad clearly shows Konami went all-in with doing business with Sega.
7. Skimaxx North American and British arcade flyers
Skimaxx arcade flyer for England. Does anyone know who the pretty model is?
Skimaxx arcade flyer for North America.
I never played Skimaxx in the local arcades. Did you? Released in 1996 by Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Skimaxx is very notable for having a truly unique physical cabinet design featuring a pivoting hydraulic footboard which brings to players the simulation of rock motions, twists and more. Two arcade flyers – for North America and England – were respectively published and both featured a pretty blonde lady wearing a swimsuit playing the Skimaxx machine, highlighting the use of the footboard. Apart from the technical features, a Skimaxx machine can be linked with another machine for head-to-head competition. These arcade flyers are very cool and mesmerizing to look at and they contain enough details to make arcade operators interested.
8. Genso Suikoden II Japanese print ad
This is truly an epic-looking print ad promoting Genso Suikoden II. A lot of images were shown but they did not spoil the plot.
When Konami released the original Suikoden (Genso Suikoden in Japan) fantasy RPG on the PlayStation in the mid-1990s, the game achieved positive feedback from gamers and critics which boosted sales. In late-1998, the sequel Genso Suikoden II was released for PlayStation in Japan and Konami became aggressive on promoting it as it became aware of the many dedicated Suikoden fans. They came up with an epic-looking 2-page print ad that had a collage of official artworks, screenshots of in-game cutscenes, and some of the fancy looking visual effects to sell the game. The images and descriptive text informed gamers of the new conflict following the events of the original game. I played Suikoden II a lot and it is easily bigger and better than its predecessor. That said, this epic-looking print ad truly highlights the great stuff Suikoden II offered gamers and it made the Suikoden II print ads in America look inferior. Too bad Konami did not use the approach of the Japanese print ad in the Western markets because Suikoden II truly is epic fantasy.
9. Einhänder North American print ad
The 2-page print ad of Einhänder for North America.
Back in the late-1990s, SquareSoft became a more prominent game developer and publisher by releasing new games that not only had 3D polygonal visuals but also tackled gameplay styles beyond role-playing games (RPGs). In the case of their game Einhänder, they made a serious gamble on the shooter genre of gaming while moving forward with 3D polygons and some unique gameplay features of their own. In preparation for the game’s North American launch in 1998 for PlayStation, the company came up with a wide print ad with a dominant artwork that showed a planet with a huge part torn off and drifting into space. Even a small part of the planet’s core got exposed. This ad pounded hard on the expression of “Earth shattering”, and it showed SquareSoft was serious on making an impact on the shooter genre. When I saw this ad in a magazine, the planet caught my attention and then I focused on the right section which had the descriptive text and screenshots of Einhänder. This is still an engaging print ad to look at.
With their struggling tourism industry and long-haul tourism in mind, Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from a few specific nations, according to a news article by VnExpress.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan to ease visa processing delays and attract more long-haul visitors.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the visa policy committee on Nov. 9, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Monday, as reported by The Nation Thailand.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns that visa-processing delays are disrupting Thailand’s long-haul tourism market, particularly travel from Latin America, with passenger show-up rates on some flights falling by 20% to 30%, Khaosod English news site reported.
Emirates recently filed a complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand after 20-30 passengers per flight from Mexico failed to show up because they had not received their visas in time, local media reported.
Surasak said the ministry was seeking a long-term solution to persistent visa delays affecting Mexico and other Latin American markets. The committee will assess the proposal’s security and economic implications, with the ministry seeking exemptions for countries considered to pose low security risks.
Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand overseeing international markets in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, said visa procedures had also affected arrivals from Uzbekistan, Thai Examiner reported.
Uzbek travelers previously had to apply for Thai e-visas through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia, a process that travel agents in Uzbekistan considered cumbersome.
Some travelers subsequently canceled their Thailand holiday packages and chose competing destinations, including Vietnam.
The proposed exemption aims to simplify entry procedures, reduce disruptions to travel plans and restore confidence among international tour operators and airline partners.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Thailand’s move to grant visa exemptions to travelers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan makes a lot of sense? Do you think Thailand will be able to match its 2025 foreign tourist arrival numbers before the end of this year? What was single biggest problem you had when it came to visiting Thailand?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Let me start by saying that Halloween should never be celebrated as it is inherently evil and it makes the participating celebrants vulnerable to evil forces. Apart from the evil that comes with it, the celebration of Halloween also causes major disruptions such as overcrowding, littering, trespassing, bumping, noise pollution, theft, physical violence and more. Over there in Japan, Halloween is not a traditional festivity but rather an urban event that attracted a lot of people as participants. Because each Halloween celebration there resulted in many incidents, the Japanese municipalities have ramped up a series of measures against disruptions, according to a news report by Kyodo News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the report of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…
With Halloween approaching, Japanese municipalities are stepping up measures against disruptive celebrations in major entertainment districts as larger crowds are expected this year with the event falling on a Saturday.
Halloween is not a traditional festivity in Japan, but has evolved into a major urban event in recent years, particularly in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, where revelers in costumes gather for street celebrations.
The festivities have increasingly become associated with public disorder, with revelers drinking on the streets, littering and causing disturbances. Concerns intensified after crowds overturned a small truck in Shibuya during Halloween celebrations in 2018.
Shibuya, which has introduced restrictions on street drinking and imposed a 2,000 yen ($13) fine for littering, also plans to deploy additional patrols. Elsewhere, Tokyo’s Shinjuku district as well as Nagoya and Fukuoka are also tightening restrictions such as on alcohol consumption or access to crowded areas.
The peak crowd around Shibuya Center-Gai, a popular shopping area near Shibuya Station and one of the main gathering spots for revelers, on Halloween fell from about 20,000 in 2024 to about 4,500 in 2025, partly also due to rain.
“I hope Shibuya’s Halloween fever is gradually dying down. This year is an important turning point,” Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe said.
Nagoya has blocked access to parts of a downtown commercial complex at night since 2021 after fights and thefts were reported there during Halloween celebrations. The city plans to implement similar measures this year.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the celebration of Halloween should be banned all over Japan? What do you think caused Halloween to gain a lot of popularity among the Japanese over the past several years? Do you think Halloween participants in Japan even know what exactly are they celebrating? If you have children, have you ever thought them to reject Halloween?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
During the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting held here in the Philippines yesterday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth proposed a new US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework to guide regional partnerships for the next several years, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. It should be noted that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The United States on Wednesday, Oct. 28, proposed developing a new framework for defense cooperation with Southeast Asian nations as Washington seeks to strengthen military partnerships and maintain regional stability amid security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the proposal during the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, held on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN (chairmanship).
“Next year marks the 50th anniversary formally of US-ASEAN relations, an important milestone, and in recognition of this milestone, we propose that we work together to develop a US-ASEAN framework for defense cooperation, a practical framework that guides our cooperation over the next several years,” Hegseth said.
Details of the said defense frameworks have yet to be specifically discussed by ASEAN defense leaders and Hegseth although he said Washington was ready to begin work on the proposal with Singapore as it prepares to assume the ADMM-Plus chairmanship from the Philippines.
Hegseth described the US approach to regional security as “strong, quiet, and clear,” saying Washington wanted to deter aggression without provoking unnecessary escalation.
“Strong enough to deter coercion and aggression, quiet enough to avoid needless escalation or public theatrics, and to let our actions speak for themselves, but are clear enough that our friends, our partners, and potential adversaries understand precisely where the United States stands and that we will defend our interests and the interests of our allies and partners,” he said.
He said the approach was based on “peace through strength” and emphasized that the United States was willing to work with ASEAN members according to their circumstances, priorities and shared interests.
Hegseth identified maritime domain awareness, interoperability and cooperation among navies as key areas for practical collaboration.
“These are not symbolic things. They are concrete demonstrations of what serious partners do,” he said, adding that joint training and planning could build the confidence and competence needed to prevent conflict.
He also cited cooperation to sustain the ceasefire along the Cambodia-Thailand border as an example of regional coordination, saying ASEAN’s leadership had demonstrated what the bloc could achieve when it acted with purpose and resolve.
Valuable ally– Meanwhile, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the US engagement, saying a sustained American presence was necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific.
“We value the United States’ sustained engagement with the defense establishments of ASEAN as a robust US presence is necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader Indo-Pacific region,” Teodoro said.
The DND chief also thanked Washington for supporting ASEAN centrality and participating in ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ADMM-Plus, which brings together ASEAN defense ministers and their eight dialogue partners.
Teodoro cited the second ASEAN-US maritime exercise, in which the Philippine Navy participated in Indonesia in December 2025, and Washington’s support for the Philippines and Japan as co-chairs of the current ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security.
He also welcomed the participation of the US Navy and Air Force in a joint cooperative activity hosted by the Philippines in Subic last month. Teodoro said Manila hopes to build on these initiatives as he stressed the importance of freedom of navigation to regional security and prosperity.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you believe that the proposed new defense cooperation with ASEAN will lead to breakthroughs pertaining to regional stability and freedom of movement at sea? Do you think Communist China will feel the heat of America’s cooperation with ASEAN? What do you think US President Donald Trump will announce about regional cooperation when he attends the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines?
Singapore emerged as the best among the economies of Southeast Asia in the 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF), according to a news report of VnExpress. Globally, Singapore ranked 13th in a field of 110 economies.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Singapore ranked 13th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, the highest position among ASEAN.
Thecity state scored 4.89 points, up 3.4 percentage points from 2024 in the biennial rankingreleased on Friday by the World Economic Forum, an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank based in Switzerland.
Indonesia ranked at 23rd, followed byMalaysia at 26th,Thailand at 38th,Vietnam at 52nd, thePhilippines at 57th, andLaos at 75th.
Theindex measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of tourism like business environment, safety and health conditions, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, ground and port infrastructure, tourist services and infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural resources.
Singapore received high scores in business environment, safety and security, travel policy and enabling conditions, and infrastructure and services.
Singapore, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia by nominal GDP, is known for its strict laws and low crime rates. It has earned (its) reputation as one of the safest countries in Asia.
The city-state isramping up investment in large-scale tourism infrastructure as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading travel and business hub in Asia.
The government announced a S$740 million (US$584 million) tourism funding package, more than twice the S$300 million allocated under the Tourism Development Fund in 2024, in May to strengthen industry resilience until 2040.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
For Capital Economics, the economic growth of the Philippines will end up disappointing by finishing below the national government’s targets until the middle of 2028, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Capital Economics also sees the inflation rate of the country reaching 5.6% this year.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippine economy is expected to “disappoint” until the end of the Marcos Jr. administration in 2028 as the lingering effects of the energy shock, weak business confidence, tighter fiscal policy, and El Niño weigh on recovery, according to think tank Capital Economics.
In a report last Tuesday, Sept. 29, Capital Economics forecast Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth at just three percent in 2026, before picking up to 4.5 percent in 2027, and 5.5 percent in 2028.
Capital Economics’ forecasts for 2026 and 2027 fall short of the government’s downgraded economic growth targets of 3.5 to 4.5 percentand five to six percent, respectively, while the 2028 projection falls within the five- to six-percent target but remains below the economy’s estimated potential annual growth of about six percent.
Despite the gradual recovery, Capital Economics noted that its growth forecasts for the Philippines from 2026 through 2028 remain below consensus estimates.
“The Philippines has been among the hardest hit economies globally by the energy shock and the recovery will be sluggish,” Capital Economics said.
The think tank noted that the Philippine economy was already on weak footing, even before the global energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, due to the fallout from the multibillion-peso flood-control corruption scandal. As such, GDP growth slowed further to a post-pandemic low of 2.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Capital Economics also cited that the second-quarter GDP expansion was the weakest outside the Covid-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis in 2008 to 2009, while pointing to more timely indicators such as purchasing managers’ indexes (PMIs), which have provided mixed signals on economic activity in the third quarter.
The Philippine economy grew by an average of 2.6 percent during the first half of 2026, well below the government’s full-year growth target.
Capital Economics sees elevated global energy prices keeping Philippine inflation above six percent for the rest of the year, which the think tank said would dampen consumer spending.
Headline inflation eased slightly to 6.1 percent last August, but the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects the September rate to settle within the 6.4- to 7.4-percent range, potentially accelerating amid higher oil and food prices, plus a weaker peso.
Inflation averaged 5.2 percent during the first eight months of 2026, way above the government’s two- to four-percent target band for manageable year-on-year consumer price hikes.
Capital Economics expects Philippine inflation to average 5.6 percent this year, before easing to a within-target three percent next year and 2.3 percent in 2028.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering all the factors and what has happened economically over the past six months, are you convinced that there is no way to boost the nation’s economic growth this year? Do you think the government has been negligent with economic management? Do you find it ironic that as host of the ASEAN Summit, the Philippines is looking like the economic weakling of ASEAN?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.
Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
I recommend you check out the following videos I found.
#1 Popcorn in Bed’s X-Men movie reaction videos – I enjoy watching the movie reaction videos posted by Popcorn in Bed. For the most part, Cassie and her sister Carly (who joined her many times in reaction videos) are pretty reactive to the movies they saw for the first time ever regardless of genre. Recently, I replayed watching their reaction videos of the live-action, X-Men movies (the main ones specifically) from 2000’s X-Men to 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse. Each X-Men reaction video of theirs is fun to watch and I noticed how Cassy and Carly discovered who the characters are, familiarized themselves with them, and still succeeded on following the stories even though there were so many characters in each film. That said, I encourage you all to watch their videos below.
#2 The Sherman Oaks Galleria today – You may not have visited the Sherman Oaks Galleria in California, but you might have seen it in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Chopping Mall, Commando, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Indeed, the said shopping mall was used as a location in the movies and given the fact that a lot of shopping malls across America have closed down, revisiting the Sherman Oak Galleria’s legacy is both nostalgic and even educational. To find out what the Sherman Oaks Galleria looks like today, watch the video below. Tell me if you can recognize the malls spots that appeared in movies.
#3 Magic Johnson’s 1996 Comeback as a Lakers Player – Looking back at the career of Magic Johnson, the 1990s was a series of drastic changes about him. He quickly retired in 1991 because he had Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but returned as a player in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game and represented the United States as a Dream Team members in the Barcelona Olympics. He retired again in 1992 as controversy and protests grew from players over his plan to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1992-93 season. He came back to the NBA as Lakers head coach in 1994 winning 5 games and losing 11, and eventually stepped down. In 1996, he came back as a player for the Lakers taking a new role as a power forward. Magic Johnson’s presence on the basketball courts looked exciting on face value but there was a lot of tension behind the scenes and even division among the Lakers. To discover what happened, watch the video below.
#4 Eels to eat in Japan – I enjoy eating Unadon, the classic Japanese dish that has eel (unagi) grilled in the kabayaki way and served in a rice bowl. I had Unadon during my visits to Japan and in Japanese restaurants (both locally and overseas). Eels are truly popular in Japan. Even though supply constraints of live eels are felt by consumers and businesses, somehow the Japanese food joints found ways to secure enough of them and offer them to hungry customers in creative ways. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.
#5 Retro World Expo 2026 – I always wanted to attend a retro gaming convention in America. I saw this video about Retro World Expo 2026 which took place in Connecticut and it was enjoyable to see. There is nothing like playing classic arcade games and classic console/computer games running on their original hardware. Watch the video below.
#6You, Me and the Movies react to Resident Evil: Degeneration – If you are a fan of the Resident Evil games and movies, do you really enjoy watching the computer-generated Resident Evil movies? Back in 2008, the pure-CGI movie Resident Evil: Degeneration was released in cinemas and there was some excitement for it among RE enthusiasts as it had fan-favorite characters Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Not only that, RE fans who were disappointed with the Milla Jovovich-led live-action movies wanted to see RE movies that were more connected with the games they enjoyed. You, Me and the Movies recently posted their reaction video about Resident Evil: Degeneration and it is a must-watch.
#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Transformers: The Movie – Finally, Ashleigh Burton saw the animated classic The Transformers: The Movie and posted her reaction video of it. It is nice that the animated movie got featured by her as this year marks its 40th anniversary. Go watch her video now! It’s fun to watch.
#7 Deathmate and the 1990s comics revisited – As a long-time comic book reader, I personally witnessed the presence and impact of the Deathmate crossover comic books in 1993. The Deathmate comics published by Valiant were released on time while those from Image Comics really arrived late. Local comic book collectors near me had no excitement for Deathmate even though famous artists like Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee and Whilce Portacio participated in it in various degrees. The video below is very comprehensive with its focus on not just Deathmate but also the comic book speculator boom, the 1990s comics trends, the intrigue behind the scenes and more. Watch the video now.
New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corporation – a dynamic commercial vehicle dealership and direct importer specializing in reconditioned Japanese surplus trucks and other types of industrial machines – formally inaugurated its P50 million facility inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), according to the official announcement by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement. Some parts in boldface…
Reflecting the robust growth of the trucking industry within the Freeport zone, New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corp. inaugurated its PHP 50-million expansion facility at the Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP) on September 21, 2026.
“The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) takes great pride in developments like this,” said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño. “A Freeport’s strength lies in the enterprises that choose to invest, expand, and remain within its borders.”
Aliño noted that New Asahi Group’s decision to consolidate its expertise in sourcing, importation, reconditioning, fabrication, and after-sales support under the Apex Trucks brand, and to do so here in Subic, is a strong vote of confidence in both the Freeport and the favorable business (climate) that the SBMA diligently maintains.
The expansion spans 5,231.60 square meters within THEP and is projected to create 25 additional jobs. Thefacility will handle importation, exportation, transshipment, warehousing, rebuilding, and trading of trucks, buses, as well as heavy and industrial equipment.
New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corporation specializes in the dealership and importation of commercial vehicles, focusing on reconditioned Japanese trucks, heavy equipment, and industrial machinery. Operating under the Apex Trucks name, the company is involved in the import, export, transshipment, storage, rebuilding, and wholesale of trucks, buses, heavy and industrial equipment, along with new and used spare parts and accessories.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by prominent figures including SBMA Chairman Eduardo Jose L. Aliño; New Asahi Group Chairman Ahamed Mohamed Mohamed Hussain; President Shukry Hussain; CEO Riza Nazeer; SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business & Investment Barney W. Lee III; and Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen C. Paulino, Jr., who collectively led the ribbon-cutting.
Representatives from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines, along with Xantheng (Subic) International Corporation (XSIC) President Simon Su and XSIC Vice-President for Operations Kelly Uy, were also in attendance.
Subic Bay Freeport Zone continues to manage a consistent inflow of truck and heavy equipment imports through its major locators.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that this expansion inside the SBFV will inspire the remaining freeport investors to maintain their operations?
